As the saying goes, "If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die in the evening without regret." Chen Ke was in such a state now. Li Hongqi spoke sharply and profoundly, explaining worldly affairs simply and clearly. Many things he knew but didn't understand before, he understood immediately upon hearing. Unknowingly, they had been talking for more than an hour, and Chen Ke hadn't noticed the passage of time at all.

Li Hongqi looked a bit tired. He gently stroked his chest before continuing, "Having said so much, finally I want to tell you two what I think you should do."

Chen Ke, Shang Yuan, and He Ying all stared at Li Hongqi's eyes, waiting for Teacher Li's final teaching.

"I study Confucianism, following the great way of Confucius and Xunzi. I don't understand revolution, nor do I understand industry. From what I have learned, revolution looks grand, but in the final analysis, it is just a matter of people. Since it is a matter of people, it is the Five Constants (*Wuchang*), that is, Benevolence (*Ren*), Righteousness (*Yi*), Propriety (*Li*), Wisdom (*Zhi*), and Integrity (*Xin*). In the final analysis, it is better to rely on oneself than on others."

These were words Chen Ke always required of himself. Hearing Teacher Li say this, he became even more spirited, wanting to see how Teacher Li's view differed from his own.

"First is Integrity (*Xin*). The so-called Integrity means one must be true to one's word and resolute in one's deeds. A spit is a nail (what is said is done). If you cannot know yourself, know how many buns you eat and how many bowls of soup you drink, can you fulfill what you say? The so-called knowing oneself is not only knowing what you can do but also knowing what you cannot do. This is truly knowing oneself. Knowing what you cannot do, you won't make promises you cannot keep. Then, what you say is naturally what you can promise. Only then can you be trustworthy in word. When my teacher taught me, he said, rather than being trustworthy in word, it is better to act without speaking. You must remember this."

Hearing Li Hongqi's narration, the three nodded in agreement.

"Since you know what things you cannot do, that is already close to Wisdom (*Zhi*). The so-called wise man knows how to choose; you cannot have both fish and bear's paw, so give up fish and take bear's paw. In conduct, one must not overestimate one's capabilities."

*Isn't this the reason for the United Front?* Chen Ke suddenly thought. Who are our friends, who are our enemies? Even if today's friend is tomorrow's enemy. Even if he is to be killed tomorrow, if the fish should be given to him today, it still must be given to him. Knowing how to choose, knowing the distribution of interests, this is one of the methods of the United Front. While pondering, he heard Shang Yuan ask, "Teacher, what if I have the power to have both fish and bear's paw?"

"That is a matter of Propriety (*Li*). Divine artifacts originally have no owner; only those with power and virtue occupy them. The ritual system (*Lizhi*) is the system. Wenqing wrote in the book that the state is a tool of class rule. The operation of the state is just the operation of the system. What maintains this system is the state apparatus, which is where the strongest power in the world lies. Establishing rites and music relies on swords and soldiers. If your power is great enough to set rules and clarify order, then you should be the one distributing bear's paw and fish. If you take that bear's paw and fish for yourself... what use do you have for these things?" Li Hongqi asked.

Shang Yuan blushed. "Teacher is right."

"One can seize the country by force, but one cannot govern the country by force. If you can set the ritual system and order, then the ritual system of the world is nothing more than the word Righteousness (*Yi*). The Way of Heaven damages the surplus to supplement the insufficient. The Way of Man is not so; it damages the insufficient to serve the surplus. So this Righteousness must be the Way of Heaven. I saw in Wenqing's book, Wenqing said that in agricultural society, productivity is insufficient, so even if one wants to damage the surplus, one may not be able to supplement the insufficient. Industrial society lies in machine production, getting rid of the state of scarcity. So the surplus can supplement the insufficient. This is very good. However, Confucius once spoke of Zigong redeeming people of Lu. This must absolutely not be done."

This was an allusion. The State of Lu had a law: if people of Lu became slaves abroad, anyone who could redeem them could go to the treasury to reimburse the ransom. Once, Confucius' disciple Zigong (Duanmu Ci) redeemed a person of Lu abroad and refused to accept the state compensation after returning. Confucius said: "Ci, the method you adopted is not good. From now on, people of Lu will no longer be willing to redeem their compatriots enslaved abroad. If you accept the state's compensation, it will not damage the value of your behavior; but if you refuse to take back the money you advanced, others will no longer be willing to redeem people." Zilu saved a drowning person; that person thanked him and gave him a cow, and Zilu accepted it. Confucius said: "Now people of Lu will definitely be brave in saving drowning people."

In Confucius' view, Zigong's mistake lay in elevating the moral standard that everyone could originally reach to a height that most people could hardly reach. What would be the consequence? First, the superficial moral standard of society is raised, and everyone expresses their intention to learn from Zigong; second, the actual situation of moral standards actually slides, because with such a high moral standard as Zigong hanging overhead, anyone who redeems a compatriot and then goes to claim the state ransom will be considered immoral. However, how many people have enough financial resources to ensure that losing this ransom will not affect their lives?

Chen Ke didn't quite agree with this. If People's Party members demanded themselves with such a standard, what "People's Party" would they be called? Historically, Party members back then never demanded themselves like this. Everything for the people, serve the people wholeheartedly. If talking about exchange of equal value and fair trade, what would the People's Party become? It would only make the People's Party degenerate into a garbage organization like the Kuomintang.

Thinking this in his heart, Chen Ke naturally revealed some disapproving expressions on his face. Li Hongqi understood at a glance. He laughed, "Wenqing, you and Wangshan will absolutely not learn from Zilu; I know this. And I want to tell you, your future comrades cannot learn from Zilu either. Because what you want to achieve is Benevolence (*Ren*). The benevolent are invincible. Why are the benevolent invincible? Because the benevolent possess Integrity, Wisdom, Propriety, and Righteousness simultaneously. The benevolent love people; the righteous govern with reason. Loving people takes eliminating cruelty as the task; governing with reason takes removing chaos as the heart. Since you have the world in your chest, you must eliminate cruelty and remove chaos. You must gather comrades who also have the heart to eliminate cruelty and remove chaos. You must let the people of the world know that the common people can have both righteousness and profit, but you people, your comrades, are not like this, and cannot be like this."

Li Hongqi finished these thoughts on Benevolence in one breath. He seemed quite excited; his breathing was a bit rapid, and his face became a bit rosy. Chen Ke quickly nodded in agreement. He thought to himself that it seemed he really underestimated Teacher Li Hongqi.

Li Hongqi continued excitedly, "Although the world today is said to be undergoing a 'great change not seen in three thousand years,' in my opinion, it is just a link in the cycle of order and chaos, rise and fall of China. The only difference is that China used to be in Asia, but now it is more deeply involved in the entire world. China's rites have collapsed and music has been ruined (moral degradation), and it coincides with the massive invasion of foreign enemies. Internal worries and external aggression. Many people only see the tyranny of foreigners, but don't see that China itself is even more tyrannical, cruel, and shameless."

Speaking of this, Li Hongqi suddenly couldn't help gasping rapidly. No matter how obtuse Chen Ke was, he could see that Li Hongqi was sick. The rosy complexion just now was essentially a morbid flush. He was just about to advise Li Hongqi to rest, but saw Shang Yuan just stand up and pour a cup of tea for Li Hongqi. Li Hongqi picked up the teacup and took a sip. After resting for a moment, he continued, "Wenqing didn't make a sound; this is correct. Being sick is my own business. Since I want to lecture you, if you respect me, listen carefully to my lecture. If you act like little children, panicking and crying, wouldn't I be lecturing you in vain?"

"Teacher Li, the time is long today; you speak slowly," Chen Ke said quickly.

"You can listen slowly, but I don't have time to speak slowly to you." Li Hongqi forced a smile and then continued in one breath, "Nowadays the world is cruel and treacherous; it is already in great chaos. And which dynasty change wasn't like this? How to deal with the tyranny, cruelty, and shamelessness of the world, how to break free from these tyrannies, cruelties, and shamelessness, and eliminate all injustice with a firm attitude, is a very difficult thing for ambitious people like you. In today's China, as soon as the Manchu Qing falls, there will be great chaos. It is destined that sorrow will fill the wild, and corpses will number in the millions. Even if you make the world more chaotic, don't mind. This is China's destiny (*Qi Yun*); you alone can absolutely not stop it. What you can do is to cure this great chaos, take advantage of this great chaos, sweep away chronic illnesses, and eradicate all injustice from the root. When the world is at peace, China will surely be more powerful and brilliant. Wangshan, you are my disciple. Now Confucianism has declined; this is destined. Confucius didn't have any industrialization back then. I am a person who studies Confucianism. Wangshan, when you go out from my Confucian school, I don't want you to glorify Confucianism; I only want you to glorify China. When Wenqing wrote the book, he still knew to rely on Chinese history. If you can succeed, I only have one request: leave some final dignity for Confucianism. Let the civilization of Huaxia destroy Confucianism; absolutely do not let foreign civilization destroy Confucianism."

Speaking of this, Li Hongqi gasped even heavier. The flush on his face had faded, and his whole face was extremely pale. "Wangshan, can you promise me?"

Hearing his teacher's words, Shang Yuan lowered his head slightly. After a moment, he raised his head. "I cannot promise you. I can only do my best."

Li Hongqi sighed in disappointment and nodded gently. "I've made it difficult for you." He turned his head to look at Chen Ke again. "Wenqing, you are now just a Righteous One (*Yizhe*) who can remove chaos. I observe you don't have the heart of a Benevolent One (*Renzhe*), nor the meaning of hating evil as an enemy. The Kingly Way (*Wangdao*) is vast; the Hegemonic Way (*Badao*) is brilliant. Although Wenqing thinks of the Kingly Way, what you do is probably the Hegemonic Way. I am very worried you will embark on the evil path of the Hegemonic Way. You are not a person of Mingjiao (Manichaeism - often associated with rebellion/righteous sects in fiction), but I want to advise you not to care about the reputation after death. I see you are a person who values fame and fortune very much, always wanting to gain both fame and fortune in doing things. And I see you probably value this reputation even more heavily. As long as you can save China, let others comment on the affairs after death. As long as you don't deliberately seek personal fame, you will inevitably achieve great things in the future."

"Many thanks for Teacher Li's teaching. I will definitely keep your words in mind," Chen Ke answered very seriously.

"That's it for today; you go. I want to rest," Li Hongqi said.

The three stood up together. Shang Yuan knelt in front of the teacher and kowtowed respectfully before going out with Chen Ke and the others. Li Hongqi didn't get up from the chair either; he just watched the three leave the courtyard gate. Only then did he take out medicine from his bosom with trembling hands. A woman came out from the back hall, poured hot water for Li Hongqi again, and served him to take the medicine. She complained, "You still forced your spirit to lecture them while sick; are you trying to be the Emperor's Teacher?"

"The world is like this; it's a good thing if a True Son of Heaven (Emperor/Leader) can emerge. But looking at the book that child Shang Yuan brought, and the principles he talked about, even if someone can hold power over the world, there will never be an emperor again," Li Hongqi said leaning on the chair.

"That child Wangshan is too soft-hearted; I'm afraid he will suffer losses in the future," the woman sighed.

"If the world hadn't decayed to such an extent, I would absolutely not have let Wangshan go with people like Chen Ke. This is fate." Li Hongqi's voice no longer had the intensity just now; at this moment, his tone was full of deep regret and worry. "Let nature take its course (*Ting Tian You Ming*)."

After parting with Shang Yuan at the gate of Li Hongqi's house, Chen Ke held He Ying's hand and walked side by side on the street. The matter of buying gifts couldn't be ignored either. By the afternoon, the rickshaw behind them was already piled with gifts. After coming out of Li Hongqi's house, Chen Ke hadn't spoken actively. His mind was completely focused on ruminating on Li Hongqi's education. Chen Ke felt this Confucian believer's attitude towards revolution was quite reasonable, but it still needed to be considered slowly. However, Chen Ke had been repeatedly thinking about Teacher Li Hongqi's criticism of him. Synthesizing today's content, Li Hongqi pointed out two faults of Chen Ke. First, caring too much about others' evaluation, caring too much about affairs after death.

Chen Ke was a firm supporter of Chairman Mao. Because he saw with his own eyes how much dirty water was splashed on Chairman Mao after his death, Chen Ke was still quite worried about his own future. In his opinion, Chairman Mao's revolutionary method was not wrong, including those movements; there was a great necessity to copy them completely. Precisely because of this, he felt some fear. Although Teacher Li Hongqi didn't know Chen Ke's thoughts, he obviously saw the problem.

But thinking about it now, it was indeed unnecessary. Chairman Mao had a fierce personality; speaking extremely, he could even be called "somewhat domineering." For this, Commander-in-Chief Zhu once said to his face, "Runzhi, it's not that we don't support your views; we just can't accept your attitude." But history proved that Chairman Mao was not wrong. Moreover, Chairman Mao didn't care about the evaluation after death at all; why did Chen Ke care so much? Isn't it just being scolded? Besides those who scold, aren't there firm supporters like Chen Ke existing? Only seeing those who scold but ignoring supporters; Chairman Mao would absolutely not make this low-level mistake.

Having figured out this link, Chen Ke felt much more relaxed.

Another problem Li Hongqi talked about was that Chen Ke lacked a benevolent heart (*Renxin*). Regarding this, Chen Ke hadn't failed to reflect. But for people without revolutionary spirit, or people who couldn't keep up with revolutionary requirements, Chen Ke didn't have the energy to care about their life and death either. If he spent all day focusing on saving others, would there still be time for revolution? Revolution is telling everyone that there is a better choice, a more powerful way of organizing productive forces. Those who can keep up, keep up; those who can't keep up, force them to keep up. Chen Ke wasn't a monk; he had no interest in "cutting flesh to feed eagles, sacrificing body to feed tigers." Although he lacked love, he didn't lack hatred for the old social system. At least he didn't lack extreme contempt and disgust. This was enough for the current stage.

Thinking of this, Chen Ke exhaled heavily. Soon there would be a place to express his "hate." After returning to Shanghai, the struggle would definitely not be full of warmth.

Everything was proceeding according to plan. He Ruming didn't expect his son-in-law to take his daughter back to Shanghai so soon. But a married daughter is like spilt water; he really had no excuse to order Chen Ke not to leave. So Chen Ke packed his luggage and left openly and aboveboard.

On January 9, 1906, Chen Ke returned to Shanghai with his wife. Unexpectedly, he saw acquaintances at the pier. Besides Xie Mingxian, You Gou was also there. It seemed this big arrest didn't completely destroy the People's Party organization. Seeing Chen Ke, You Gou extended her hand generously. Chen Ke walked over quickly and tightly held the comrade's warm palm.

"Wenqing, you've worked hard on the journey," You Gou laughed. Not having seen her for more than two months, You Gou was obviously thinner, and her skin was tanned a lot. But the faint squeamishness of a pampered eldest miss in her expression in the past could no longer be seen. Her gaze was bright and sharp, and the strength in her hand was also much greater.

Chen Ke immediately put down his heart. Experiencing this blow, the comrades' spirit hadn't been destroyed. "I'm back. During the days I was away, everyone has worked hard." Chen Ke held You Gou's hand tightly and laughed.

You Gou also felt Chen Ke had changed a lot. When in Shanghai, Chen Ke was more like a scholar, always liking to smile gently. Now Chen Ke was more like a northern man. The sharpness and firmness that were only occasionally reflected in Chen Ke before now became the main feeling Chen Ke gave people. That was a change that only happened after making up one's mind. You Gou had also experienced the process of making up her mind, so she was more sensitive to this change in Chen Ke.

He Ying really didn't expect her husband to shake hands with a girl who looked very hearty and crisp in public, and with an attitude of being accustomed to it as if no one else was present. When Chen Ke introduced her to You Gou, He Ying just nodded slightly to say hello; her attitude wasn't considered affectionate.

"Wenqing and I are friends. Hasn't sister heard Wenqing mention it?" You Gou laughed heartily.

"He was very busy in Beijing and hasn't had time to say it yet," He Ying forced a smile.

"Then let's talk on the way."

Silent all the way. Contrary to Chen Ke's expectation, everyone actually returned to the school. The school gate was tightly closed. Guarding the gate were the Shandong heroes Wu Xingchen found a few months ago. After letting everyone in, the gate closed heavily again.

In the conference room, old and new Party members of the People's Party were all waiting; there were actually more than twenty people. Seeing Chen Ke and the others enter, Qi Huishen welcomed them first. The two hands held tightly together. Sizing up Qi Huishen, seeing a just-healed wound on his face, Chen Ke asked, "Any other injuries?"

"Small matter." Qi Huishen's posture also changed greatly. "Let me introduce our comrades to Wenqing. They are all our Party members."

Chen Ke basically knew these people; they were the Party member team with the Whampoa Book Club as the core. Chen Ke shook hands with them one by one and called out their names one by one. Until a young man Chen Ke had never seen extended his hand to Chen Ke. While shaking hands, Chen Ke searched fruitlessly in his memory. You Gou said, "This is Shi Juexing; he joined after you left. I am his introducer to the Party." What surprised him was that Wang Qinian also became a probationary Party member.

Chen Ke nodded. He scanned the circle again and found he didn't see Hua Xiongmao. "Where is Zheng Lan (Hua Xiongmao)?"

"Mr. Qiu Jin was injured. Zheng Lan went to visit her today; he should be back in a while." Seeing Chen Ke's worry, Qi Huishen said.

"Have all the people been rescued?" This was what Chen Ke worried about most.

"There are still four people who haven't come out. In addition, two people shook out our affairs to the British in prison. They can't be found for the time being. But we are still continuing to search." The tone of Qi Huishen's words was extremely unkind. Traitors were unforgivable; this was the same everywhere.

"Comrades, let me say a few words first." Chen Ke shouted loudly. "Is there anyone here who participated in the gunfight?"

"Me," Lu Huitian said.